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ADDRESS 



AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE 



HATBOKOUGH MONUMENT, 



COMMEMORATING THE 



BATTLE OF THE CROOKED Bl 



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jLiIIjI, 



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DELIVERED IN LOLLER ACADEMY, 



December 5, 1861. 



BY K E V . JACOB B E L V I L L E 



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PUBLISHED BY OIIDER OF THE MONUMENTAL ASSOCIATION. 



DOYLESTOWN, PA : 
J. D. MENDENHALL, PKINTER. 

18 6 2. 



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ADDRESS 

BEIIVEEED il IDE IXirGlRniON OF THE HAIBOBOIGB MOXCSEXI, 



coJonaioEATixG ihb 



BATTLE OF THE CROOKED BILLET, 



BY REV. JACOB BELVILLE. 



A LITTLE more than a year ago, you were assembled to witness the inaugu- 
ration of the Hatboro' Monumental Association. To-day, you assembled to 
witness the completion of the work, for which that association was organized. 
And now, to me has been given the honor of announcing to vou that that 
work is done. It Is well done : — in a manner worthy of this communitr 
worthy of the association, and worthy of the events which that work is 
designed to commemorate. 

Another monument has been erected to departed worth. Another spot 
has been consecrated to the memory of precious dust and priceless souls. 
Another stone has been set up, to wimess that good deeds cannot die. 
Another tribute has been paid to that virtue which men in every ao^e have 
ranked next to the love of Gi-d, — the lore of Country. Another record has 
been written in enduring marble, to plead with silent eloquence, for the 
perpetuation of that government for whose establishment our fathers bled 
and to command oar children and our childrens children, that they hand 
down to their children that heritage our fathers gave us, and which, bv the 
grace of God, we intend to hand down unimpaired to them. 

It is not my province to-day, to search the field of history and portray 
before you the events which your monument is designed to commemorate. 
Those events have already been recorded by an abler pen* than mine, and 
a more eloquent tonguef than mine has rehearsed them in your ears : and 



« HUtorv of Battle of Crooked BUlet, by Colonel W. W. 11. fKiris. 
t Oration by Colonel J. AV. Forney, July i, IStiO. 



as the result, of that record and rehearsal, tlmse events are familiar t^ you 
all as honschold words. As you have gatliercd together here to-day, the 
battle of the Crooked Billet has been in imagination fouglit again. You 
have seen that little band of undisciplined yet patriotic men, wiili Lacey at 
their head, by tlie faithlessness of sentinels, and the treachery of tlieir own 
countrymen, snrpri.sed at morning dawn by more than tlirice their numV)er 
of veteran troops. You have seen the enen)y closing in upon them, from 
right and left, and rear and front — you have seen Downey, and Thompson, 
anil Pinyard fall — you liave seen Lacey with more tlian half his force break 
tlirougli tlie opposing foe, and make good his retreat ; and, when j'our eye 
has followed liiem for a moment to a place of security, you have returned to 
look on scenes of cruelty, over wliich even the charily of an enemy would 
fain throw the mantle of oblivion. 

It is mine, to-day. rather to read to you again tlie lessons your fathers 
wrote upon these fields with tlieir blood ; — to gatlier, from the breezes that 
play around this consecrated spot, the warnings and counsels that liave been 
tloaliiig in them ever since tiiey were breathed upon them by the spirits that 
departed here in the struggle for liberty. It. is mine, to strike the key-note 
of the monument, to interpret its liistory and its inscriptions, liiat it may at 
once begin its holy mission, by awaking tlie impulses of j)atriotism in our 
hearts. 

This monument is a tribute of gratitude, a iviliicss that grwd ilenls camiot 
(lif. The I5ard of Avon said, " the evil that men do, lives after them, the 
good is oft interred witli their bones." It is not true; — evil and good are 
alike immortal. There are good deeds wltich so enwrap much that is evil, 
tliat the eye of man never beholds it, and there are evil deeds which cover 
a character with a dye of infamy so deep that an eternity of goodness could 
not wasli it out. Tlie predominant, good or evil, in an individual, a nation, 
a generation, stamps its character for ever. 

Good deeds live iu I lie memory. Eighty-three years have passed since 
the events occurred which we this day comn.emorate. Tlieir memory is as 
green to-day, as when those years began, and in view of subser|uent events, 
tliey have assumed a magnitude they did not tlien possess. 

Good deeds not only live in memory — tliey are immortal in tlieir influence 
— tliey are like seeds which spring up, a leaf, a twig, a tree, wliich every 
year spreads wider its branches and bears in richer luxuriaupe its fruits. 
The outburst of patriotism to-day, throughout our land, is the ripe clusters 
from tlie vine our fathers planted and watered with their blood. The 
patriots, to whose memory your inonuinont is reared, are doing more for 
their country to-day tli.an when they died. The blood they shed upon these 
fields is more powerful to jneserre our liberty, than it was to procure it. It 
nerves our spirits to endurance in the nation's holy cause, and ministers .a 
withering rebuke to every cold heart and hesitating hand. 

r>ut 1 have said that evil is immortal, no less than good. And there are 
evil deeds remembered here to-day. Tiic men of the Revolution were not 
all patriots. The very service to which Lacey with liis band was ajipointed, 
testifies that there were traitors then. He was appointed to protect his 
country from liis countrymen, to prevent the citizens of America from ,snp- 



pljing to England's liired aiiiiy the strengtli which was to be spent in 
liij'iug waste her cities, desolating her fields, and polluting her homes with 
blood. And yet, I confess, fellow citizens, that I have always looked upon 
many of tiie Tories of the Revolution with muoh of l)ity, and on many of 
their deeds of service to the mother country with somewhat of extenuation. 
Though tiiey were traitors lo theircountry, they were loyal to the government 
under which they had been born— Ihcy resisted a governnieut which was 
then a new experiment. Still, they will be remembered and execrated as 
traitors, while a single monument shall stand to tell of the struggles of the 
Revolution. Who then shall pity the traitors of our day? Who shall ex- 
tenuate their treason ? They need no monument to perpetuate their disgrace. 
The men of America who look on with cold indifference upon the struggle in 
which we are now engaged, who are not ready to lay their all upon their 
country's altar in this her time of peril, are writing the history of their own 
shame as with an iron pen — they arc handing down to their children a 
heritage of infamy. Their children's children will abjure their names. 

Your monument is a tribute to pairioti^in, a virtue which, as 1 have already 
said, has, in the esteem of the good of every age, ranked second only to the 
love of God. Who are the men whose names are handed down to us in 
sacred history encircled with a Gudgiven glory ? Who were Moses and 
Joshua, Deborah and Gideon, Samson and Samuel, David and Jelioshaphat 
and Ilezekiah and Josiah ? Who, but patriots, who loved their God and 
loved their countr3^ Tlieir patriotism and their piety stand side by side 
upon the sacred page. They served their country in serving God, and 
they served God in serving their country. And almost every record of their 
faith in God, is also a record of some brave and noble deed for the land they 
loved. AVhen they prayed, it was for grace and strength to serve their 
country ; and then, gifted by Jehovah with a self-sacrificing patriotism, 
(hey counted nothing too dear to sacrifice upon the altar of their country 
ami their Gad. 

The sciiool boys here will well remember the story of Volumnia, the niotlier 
of Cains MarciusCoriolanus. Au exile from Rome, Cains Marcius had joined 
(he Yolscians. He was appointed commander of their forces, and now 
(lushed with victory after victory he was at the head of a powerful army 
almost at the gates of Rome. Deputation alter deputation went forth from 
tiie city. Senators, Pontiffs, Flamens, Augurs, all went forth to intercede 
with Coriolanus to spare the city, but all in vain. The women, true lo the 
instincts of tliat piety which in every ago has characterized their sex, were 
gathered in the temple to pray. At length Volumnia rose up, and with her 
Valeria, the wife of Coriolanus, and her children, and went forth to his camp 
to intercede for Rome. He saw them ajiproaehing. knew them, and resolved 
to steel his heart against their entreaties too. But he loved his mother 
better than his country, and as she drew near he rose to greet her with a 
kiss. Though she was his mother, she shrank from the pollution of a trait- 
or's kiss. "Art thou Caius Marcius," said she, "and am I thy mother, or 
art thou the leader of the Volscians and am I thy foe ? Answer me this, 
before thou kissest mc," " Shall it be said that it is to me — to me alone — that 
Rome owes her conqueror and oppressor ? J/ud I never been a mother, nvj 



country Itad >itiU been free.''' No wonder tlisil Cains jNIaroius ((uailed before 
the bursting patriotism of that noble mother's heart. No wonder tlial he 
cried, "Oh, my mother, thou hast saved thy country, but lost thy son." No 
wonder that he went back to the Volscians and died the victim of his double 
treason. Iter's was a genuine patriotism that looked on every earthly tie as 
nothing when compared with that which bound lier to her country, that 
overshadowed even the instincts of a motlier's love. This is the patriotism 
that has commanded the reverence of true men in every age. This makes 
us bow before the hero of Fort Sumpter. He sacrificed the ties of family 
to serve his country. This invests with a peculiar interest the services of 
Fairfax, in the capture of those arch-rebels from the deck of the Trent. He 
is a Virginian, bound to the enemies of his country by the ties of blood, but 
bound to that country by stronger ties, by all the noble impulses of his 
patriotic heart. This is true patriotism ; it rises above all considerations of 
interest ; it tramples on the dictates of ambition ; it turns a deaf ear to the 
voice of friends and kindred. It counts no labor a toil, no endurance a 
suffering, no loss a sacrifice, if the country be but thereby served. It knows 
no limit, but the law of God ; and there it always linds a refuge, for God is 
the patriot's God. 

But wherefore should a man love his country ? I might, tell you that it 
is the residence and the guardian of all his dearest interests ; that it is the 
protection which government affords which preserves not only our liberties, 
but our homes and our altars ; that without it the domestic circle would soon 
lose its charm, and the temples of religion would be razed to tlie ground ; 
that rapine and violence would soon make a hell of earth. Dut Iruc patri- 
otism rests upon a foundation deeper far than anj' considerations of interest 
or advantage. I am weary of that mathematical pliilosophy which would 
calculate love to country and love to God by the yienny weight ; it would sell 
God and the country for a very few pieces of silver. True patriotism has 
its foundation in the God-like nature wliich the Creator first gave to man. 
Why does every true man love his country? Why docs tlie eye, not ))liiided 
by disease, love beauty ? Because it is its nature. Wliy does the ear that 
is not deaf, delight in melody? Because God made it so. Even so the man 
that is a man, in whom sin has not utterly obliterated every element of his 
moral nature, loves his country, because God made him so. It is the 
necessary requirement of the primary instincts of his soul. 

The men to whom this monument is reared, were pa/rio/n. Tiiey did not 
achieve, it is true, what the world calls great deeds, deeds which at once 
would write their names upon the roll of fame. But they did the greatest 
deed man can do for his country, they died in its defence. They stood in 
their lot, between their country and her foes. They fought until they fell 
the victims of treachery and violence, all that the bravest and the best could 
do. It is sometimes said that circumstances make great men. It is true, 
but they must have the material and the time. The Revolution would never 
have made a AVaskington, if it had not had a Washington to make him of. 
Nor yet would the world have ever known the Washington it does, had not 
God granted a long life for the development of his greatness. They sa^^ the 
world has seen but one Washington. But one was spared, 'tis true, but 



ni;iiiy !iu embryo Wa!^llillgtoll wny Jiiivf vioMiil up lii^ !ilo im iltt- ficlilsi of 
the llevolution. There may huve been a Wustiington in jiaiiiiitii^'iii, in 
courage, in every element of greatness, among that little band, to wlioi^e 
nieiTiory you have erected j'our monument to-day. Many a Washington may 
be doing duty in the r.-rnks to-day — some may already have gwne to their 
long home in the struggle in ■which we are now engaged, whose names will 
never be known to fame. Let your monuments ever be reared, not so much 
to great deeds as to brave and loyal hearts, that, in the holy atmosphere 
tiiat surrounds them, your children may breathe the inspiration of true 
patriotism, and before tliotn swear eternal fidelity to their country, if not 
eternal hatred to its foes. 

But I have said, the monumenl is a plea for the llepublic. I confess I 
blush with shame to utter words like these — a j)lra for such a government 
as ours? When I preach tlie gospel tiiere is one service which always 
mantles my cheek with shame — to plead with man to love his God — with 
sucli poor worms as we to love a being such as the great and good Jehovah. 
Even so, with reverence I say it, I blush to plead witli the citizens of 
America, witli men who know what it coat to establisli tliis governiiieut, 
who liave experienced its beneficence and know .something of its value, to 
plead with such to preserve and not destroy it. 

In tiic original draiiglit of Washington's Farewell Address, now in the 
possession of James Lenox, of New ^'ork, is this paragraj)h, which does 
not appear in the printed copies : 

"Besides the more seri'ius causes already hinted as threatening the 
existence of our Union, tliere is one less dangerous, but sulficiently 
dangerous to make it prudent to be upon our guard against it. 1 allude 
to the petulance of party differences of opinion. It is not uncommon to 
hear the irritations which these excite, vent themselves in declarations tliat 
the different parts of the United States are ill-affected to each other, in 
menaces that the Union will be dissolved by this or tliat iiieasure. Jnlin;:!- 
tious like these arc as indiscreet as lliey are intemperate. Tliioi;^;!) 
frequently made with levity and without any really evil inlenlion, tliey 
liave a tendency to produce the consequence which they indicate. They 
teach the minds of men to consider the Union as precarious ; as an object 
to which thej' ought not to attach their liopes and fo) tunes, and thus chill 
the sentiment in its favor. By alarming the pride ol those to whom they 
are addressed, they set ingenuity at work to depreciate the value of the 
thing, and to discover reasons of indifference towards it. Tliis is not wise. 
It will be much wiser to habituate ourselves to reverence the Union as the 
palladium of our national happiness ; to accommodate constantly our words 
and actions to that idea, and to discountenance whatever may suggest a 
suspicion that it can in any event be abandoned." 

Opposite this paragraph on the margin these words are written in 1Vash- 
ington's own liand^" Not important enough." lie would not insult the 
true men of his day by warning them further than he had already done, 
against a thought entertained only by the lowest demagogues, lie little 
thought that in our iX-.vy a mighty host would be gatliered on the soil of his 
own Virginiii, some bearing his own honored name, lo destroy that govei-n- 



inrnt to tlio establisliiTiont of wliicli he consccratsJ Ills life. ITe little 
thniiglit that, within sight of his own grave, a youtliful warrior, burning 
with the lire of his own patriotic spirit, would be ruthlessly murdered for 
tiiiiging to the breeze his country's tbig. lie lillle thought that, ere ibe men 
of (lis diiy were in their graves, the work of hU life would be the Miockery 
of madmen, the jilaylliiig of fools. And yet though today there still 
stands before you one wlio was born in the midst of the perils of the llevo- 
lution, wedded in youth to the daugtiter of him who led the little band to 
whose memory you have erected your monument,* already six hundred 
tiiousand men are under arms at the call of this government to protect it 
from the assaults of those who have lived in peace under its protection and 
liave grown many and mighty under its fostering care. And wherefore this 
deadly assault on this most beneticent government'.' — this government 
which has cherished all its citizens of every section and of every class, as 
no other government ever did on earth ? — this government under which 
science a-id the arts, literature and religion alike have Uourished, which, 
in the ordinary and natural working of its plans, bestows en evei'y citizen 
alike honors and rewards which pale the light of the titles and honors 
which kings dispense to a favoied few '.' — this government against which 
even the mad malice of rebellion dare not utter aught of evil but misgiv- 
ings for the future ? Alas I my fellow citizens, the prediction which Wash- 
ington dared not to breathe is fullilled. A multitude, of those who have 
inheriteil the fruits of his sclfsacriliciiig life have sunk to a dei)lh of 
infamy, his noble nature could not sound. " Tlie petulance of l)arly 
ilillerences of opinion," has done its work. The ballot-bos, in the legit i- 
n ate exercise of its constitutional functions, has dethroned one party and 
enthroned another. And under what plea does this inicjuitous rebellion 
marshal its hosts ? Because of fears, well-founded fears, that the powers 
of this Government, under its present administration, will not be prostituted 
to the extension and perpetuatiju of slavery, an institution, which has ever 
been regarded by the civilized ami Christian world as a dark blot upon tlie 
record of our fame ; an institution of which Washington himsi;lf thus wrote 
iulanguMge wortiiy of himself iind worthy of his struggles in the cause of 
human freedom : — "1 never mean, unless some particular circumstances 
compel me to it, to i)ossess another slave by purciiase, it being among my 
first wishes to see some plan adopted by which slavery, in this country, 
may be abolished by law." "I wish from my soul that tlie Legislature of 
this State (Virginia) could see the policy of a gradual abolition of 
slavery.'* To perpetuate and extend this institution, to nationalize it and 
make "owned'' labor tiie great characteristic of the Government is the 
great aim of those who, to accomplish these humiliating ends, have banded 
to destroy a government whose tendencies have ever been to universal 
freedom. Wc wage no war on slavery. Its constitutional rights were 
secured by the solemn oath of one who never broke his oath. It wages 
war on us and ou our Government to obtain guarantees for the future 
which were never given by any Constitution under Heaven — security for 

* In. UailiiiRton, of West Chester, wljo niai lieil tlio dHii^l.ter of (jential I.aie.T, Wiis present 
Ht tilc tlei Hull el tin- miiliuiuellt. 



the perpetuity of its tyrannj'. Thia must be granted or tlie Republic shall 
fall — so rebellion has decreet]. And was it for this God opened in (his 
■wcslern world a refuge lor the oppressed of every land ?— was it for this 
(hat Liberty raised here her standard, and foufjht and won the battles of 
(he Pi.evolii(ioii, (hat here might be established a nursery of slavery? — that 
Religion might sanctify tlie tyranfs chains and baptize t])cm as a holy 
thing? — that we and our children might throw back into our fathers' teeth 
their own declaration, that "all men were created free and equal"? — and 
have we grown so great that we can afford to take fn^m under us our very 
foundations? On the contrary, tliis land belongs to Liberty. The spirit of 
Liberty first settled it, the spirit of Liberty rescued it through seas of blood 
from the rule of kings. If the Republic fall, I will not say that Liberty 
must fall. No! Liberty is of God, and it will live to wave its banner over 
every tyrant's grave ; but if this Republic fall, then exiled Liberty once 
more must seek another home, perhaps on Africa's long neglected soil. 

But it must not fall. The monument you have erected to-day is 
another plea for its perpetuity. It points you back (o the wild woods, 
and humble, sca(tered dwellings, by which this spot was surrounded in 
revolutionary times, and then as it surveys the cultivated fiehls, the cheerful 
homes and smiling villages, which now surround it, it tells of the beneficence 
of that government wliich umler God has been the author of this prosperity 
not only here but in every portion of this mighty land. 

The history wiiich it hands down reminds us that this free governinent 
was botight with blood, and fires us all with devotion to resolve, — )t xhall 
luTcr he .lold for less. 

But yiiu need no monument to plead witii you. I see, before me, men of 
every jiarty. Republicans, and Democrats alike ;— adlierents of him who 
passed from eai'th, with patriotic warnings and counsels on his dying lips, 
jimid the first bursting of the storm, and those who once were adherents of 
liim who, now a des[)icable traitor, dishonors one of Kentucky's noblest 
names. You know no party now, but the party of your country. You are 
Americans all — animated by one spirit, (he spirit (hus breathed by our own 
poet : 

" Our Co<intry calls, away, away. 

To whevu tlie liliiorl-streani blots tin; green, 
Stnke to (li'ffnd the mildest «way 

Tbat time in all her course lias seen ; 
Sep, from atlioiismirl coverts, see 

Sprins; the armed foes that haunt her track ; 
They aim to strike her down, and we 

Mustlieat the banded traitors b.ack. 
Few, few wen^ ihey whose swords, of old, 

Won the fair land in wliich we dwell, 
lint we are niany, we who hold 

The tirni resolve to guard it well. 
Strike for this broad and happy land 

Blow after blow, till men shall see 
That might and right go hand in hand. 

And glorious must their triumph be." 

The decree has gone forth — " the Union shall be preserved." A solemn 
oath has been breathed before the great Jehovah, and His blessing sought 
in faith and oViedience upon it. They tell us (hat our foes have asked God's 
blessing for, and that they pray witli faith, but it is a faith not honored by 



8 

ohcdit-nfe. Tliry IrnsI in vain .leliov.ili's firoiiiisf', wlio d.-fy His law. But 
we liavc souglit His bk-stiing in liie niaintenauco of right. Fatliers, son."!, 
liusbands. brotlier.s, are alreaJy in the tiuM, ready to wiu (he patriot's 
reward, victoi-y or an honored grave. And we are left, all ready to obey, 
whenevei- our coiiniry o.ills. If we are true to our-selve.'-', our cause, and 
our God, we cannot fail. (!od never laid sucii broad and deep foundations, 
as lie has laid in ihis fair land, merely to anmse the universe with their 
destruction. Surely God has not given man the cup of liberty, that, ju.st as 
he begins to drink, lie may d ish ii. in derision from Ins lips. God is no tiitter, 
nor yet is He the advocate of wrong. He is not the patron of falsehood and 
robbery and treason ami rebellion. If our cause fail it will not be becau.ie 
ii is not Just, nor bi-eause it has not the Divine blessing. // will be because 
ire (irc rccrcintl to our tni.sl, because we lack the virtue for the service to 
wiiieh tjod has called us. Their's was a noble service who purchased the 
liberty we have for eighly-iive years enjoyed. What tributes of gratitude 
and praise have since gone up to heaven for their mighty deeds. On what 
scenes of gladness, the fruits of their brave deeds, have their departed 
spirits looked down and sinileil. Our's is a nobler service still. Their's was 
the ship upon the stocks — our's is the ship at sea, ladea with a precious 
IVeighL. They guarded the liltl^ seed — we the tree laden with blossoms, 
just, ready to produce abundant fruit. We bear iuto the strife the interests 
of thirty millions of people in our own laud, the interests of the down-trod- 
den and oppressed of every land, the interests of posterity, the interests 
of liberty, of education, of religion throughout the world. Our's is a 
solemn work. Let us perform it in a solemn, God-fearing spirit. If we 
are faithful, what glorious rewards await us. What blessings will descend 
upon posterity, what thanksgivings will ascend to God for our service when 
we are in our graves. If we arc failliless, we shall entail a curse upon the 
world and our memory shall be accursed. If we are faithless, then let the 
woi'ld never know that we have lived. Let the monuments which tell of the 
great deeds of our fathers be destroyed. Let Bunker Hill and Lexingtoa 
and Concord and Trenton and Saratoga and Yorktown be forever forgotten. 
Let the monument we have reared to-day be razed to its foundation. Let 
it nut stand a monument to our shame, to tell to coming generations that 
Ave wore too weak to keep what our fathers entrusted to our hands Let 
oblivion engulph us all. Let not our memory be preserved, like that of 
Israel of old, as a warning of the fate of those who forsake God and perish. 



APPENDIX. 



Thursday, the oth of December, 1861, was the day fixed upon for inaugu- 
t-atingthe "Crooked Billet" Monument, at Hatborough, Montgomery county, 
in commemoration of those who fell at the Battle of the Crooked Billet, May 
1st, 1778, and who were cruelly massacred by the British troops and Tories, 
led on by the Tories of the Revolution, residing in the vicinity. The day 
was most auspicious, calm and beautiful, the sun rendering it mild by his 
warm rays. The inaugural ceremonies were conducted at the base of the 
monument, in the forenoon, and as soon as the column was capped, and the 
urn being raised to its position. Rev. Dr. Steele was called upon and 
addressed the Throne of Grace in a solemn prayer. Several patriotic and 
eloquent addresses were made by gentlemen, who were present by invitation 
of the Managers. The venerable and highly esteem d Dr. Wjt. D.\rlington, 
celebrated for his scientific, historical, and literary attainments, and who is 
now in his eightieth year, but wliose intellect is as vigorous, active, and 
briglit as in his younger days, was present, and his lively conversation lent 
a charm and gave additional interest to the occasion. He was accompanied 
by two young ladies, direct descendants of General Lacey. The monument 
is beautiful, large and imposing, and stands upon a high bank overlookino' 
the road. It consists of a plintii, five feet square and one foot thick, and a 
double base, all of Montgomery county marble ; upon this rests a die, 
enriched with a projecting moulding, on which is the Latin motto, '■'Defcnsores 
Lifjcrtiliis ppr Insidias Abritpli ;" on the square below is engraved the inscrip- 
tion ; above this is another die, bearing the coat of arms of the " Old Keystone 
State," in alto relievo; this is exquisitely beautiful and an admirably exe- 
cuted piece of workmanship — 'the horses are well proportioned and seem 
instinct with life, the head of the eagle has a beautiful curve, and all the 
parts are well worked out ; rising from this second die is a well proportioned 
shaft or obelisk, nine feet high, on which is sculptured full sized cross- 
swords and a sliield, in bold relief; upon the obelisk is a neat capitol, and 
the whole is surmounted with an urn, from which issues a flame. It stands 
some twenty-four feet high and is of the finest Italian marble fi'om the base 
up. The monument will be surrounded by a wall and an iron railing. 



10 
1 N S C 11 1 r T 1 N ox T H E M O N I' M E X T , 



DcrensorcK TJItcrtnlis per fnsi<1iaN Abrupti. 

[Thr l)clriia«Ts orLilprrl.y slain by sniprir-c.J 
ON THE WEST FRONT. 

CROOKHl) r.lLLET l;ATTLK, MAY 1, 1778. 
GENERAL JOHN LACEY, 

coinmainling the American patriots who wore here oiigagcil in contlict 
FOR IXDEPENDENCE. 

FOUTII SIDE. 

The Patriots of 1776 
ACHIEVED OUR INDEPEXDEXCE. 

Tiioir Successor.') 

ESTARLLStlED IT IN 1812. 

We are now struggling 

FOR ITS PERPETUATION IN 1 S C. 1 . 

"7Vi(' Union mimt and shall he Prrxrri'fil."' 

E.\ST SIDE. 

A OKA'l'KVrL TKIBL'TE 

by the 

IIATliuR(»U(iIf MONUMENT ASSOCIATION, 

I M \p.TKr.i:n A\r> kui'i'tkd 

A. n. isci. 

NdliTU SII>E. 
IN MK.MilKV OK PATRIOTIC 

.1 O II N DOWN E V , 

And otliors who were cruelly slain on this grouml, in the struggle for 

AJIEUICAN LIBEETV. 



T)i-. William Darlixoton, of West Chester, ason-inlaw of General Eacey, 
being present and called upon, addressed the audience briefly, thanking 
the people of the neigliborhood for the patriotism lliey had siiown by the 
erection of a beautiful monument, and said it was (diietly owing to the energy 
of the gallantColonel of the lOlih Ringgold Regiment,* Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers, and "his friends, that this enterprise, whi(-h we liad been called upon 
to-day to consuni'nale, had lipcn ciimmenced. 

Cicneral .IniiN Davis replii'il Ihal lie could not permil il logo fuitli, that 
his faiiiily wove the finly ones proniiiicnt in this iiiuvcnicnt, that where all 
had acleil so nobly all should share l he praise — that to the l.-nlies of Hat- 
borough and vicinity they were j)rincipally indebted: il was lo Ihcin, who had 
Labored so assiduously and earnestly in this good wu-k, ihai the m.inagers 
weic enabled to complete the enterprise. 

■'■Cul. W. AV. If. Davi.-J. villi was llrr iiiiinr iiiuvrr in tlir riili"!irisc t«i r:ii.-.c lliifi in .niimpiit. 



11 

Tlie Rev. Mr. Tolaxu, of Chestnut Hill, was present ami adilf.l lii^ fcsli- 
mony in favor of what liad been done by the patriotic sons of patriotic sires, 
(o perpetuate the memory of the gallant brave who had fjiven np their lives 
on tliat sacred spot. He was glail to see before him the veterans of the war 
of 1812; Dr. Darlington, a Mujor, and Gen. John Davis, a ('aptain of that. 
war; they were connecting links that bind the past with tlic present, that 
unite the patriotism of 1812 and IHfil, the defenders of Liberty ao-ainst, 
foreign aggression, and the protectors of that liberty against, a wicked and 
causeless rebellion. The oldeti scenes of 1770 wero being enacted over 
again by those brave spirits who have obeyed their country's call and 
are now at the seat of war. Those who had professed to be our bretliren 
were now in open rebellion against us, and attempting to overthrow the 
Constitution and the Government. 

Rev. ^Ir. jIano was also glad to add his testimony to what had already 
been said. He congratulated the community upon what had been accom- 
plisheil. This was a fitting and beautiful tesliinonial to the brave men, wlio 
in the dark days of the Revolution had risked their all, and some had even 
given uj) their lives upon that Held to secure our liberties. The events of 
this day were encouraging to those who were now in the service of their 
counlry. They had gone forth upon a sense of dutv to crush this spirit of 
rebellion, ami a grateful people would reward them. Those who fell upon 
this spot little thought they would have their names handed down to pos- 
terity and their deeds live in imperisable marble; over eighty years have 
passed away and they arc not forgotten. 



It may not, perh.aps, be out of plac, here, to add the following summary 
of General Lacev's personal hislory : 

.John Lacey, .Ir., son of -John and .lane Lacey, was born in Rucks county, 
Tennsylvani.a, on the -tlh day of February. 17')-'). His great grandfalher, 
William l,acey, was among the earliest settlers under Williaui Penn, and 
emigrated from (he Isle of Wight, England. His family were plain Quakers ; 
and the subject of these notes was cducale<l among the siraighlcst of the 
sect. Rut when the clouds were gathering, which portended the storm of 
the Revolution, young Lacey promptly took position in the ranks of the 
patriots, and was chosen "Slntiditrd Bearer' in the Second Rattalion of the 
Rucks County Militia. Refore he reached the age of 21 years, ho received 
from the Continental Congress a commission as 

" Captain in the 4tli Rattalion of Pennsylvania Troops, in tlie Army of 
the United Colonies, raised for the defense of American Lil)erty, and for 
repelling every hostile invasion thereof. Signed by order of Congress. 

•'J(uiN Hancock, President. 
" Attest, CiiAs. Thomson, Secretary'. 

" Phihdlclj'liid, .Tanuary 5th, 177*'." 

This Ith li^ltalicui (or Regiment) was commanded by Colonel Antho.nv 
AVayne, of Chester county. Captain I-acey's company, in the ensuing sjuing, 
Avas marched, with the Regiment, to the Canada frontier, where lie remained 
on duty with it. until the close of the campaign : when, in consequence of .1 
misunderstanding with the Colonel, he resigned his commission. So far, 
however, was the Captain from leaving the .'icrvice, he was soon appointed 



Iiy llic ronnKylvaiiia L('J^i^il;ll\lre, one ot (lie sub-Liciitenanle of Bucks roiinty. 
with the rank of Lieiiienant Colonel; and was actively employed in organiz- 
ing the Militia of the county. 

In the aulnnin of 1777, when the liritish had got. poaseasion of Philadelphia, 
they sent a airong foraging party to the west side of the Schuylkill, where 
the Americans were posted, near the Gulf Mills. Lieutenant Colonel Laccy 
was there in command of a regiment, when a severe engagement took place. 
A portion of the Miliiia acquitted themselves with credit. General Potter, 
who w^as in command, speaking of the affair, said : — " My people behaveil 
Well; espe;'ially those regiments commanded by the ('olonels Chambers, 
;\Iiiiray, and f-acey. His K.\ccllency (Washington) returned us thanks in 
General Grdcr.s." 

Oil the 7th of .January, 1778. the Council met at Lancaster, and ordered 
that Colonel Lacey take the command of the Militia of this State, which may 
be stationed between the Schuylkill and Delaware, until further orders. 

Two days afterward. President Wharton wrote as follows: 

" Laxcastf.u. .January 0, 1778. 

Sin, — You are this day appointed to be a Brigadier General of this Slate; 
find the Secretary will, by Colonel Hart, forward to you a commission, 
empowering you to act as such. 

"To Brigadier General Ijacky, at Camp." 

At this date, the. juvenile Brigadier — appointed to relieve General I'olter 
' — was not quite lio years of age I His duty wa.*, to cut off supplies, and 
prevent all illicit intercourse between the ilisafiect d country people and the 
enemy in the city. The Critisii officers denounced vengeance on tiie troops 
thus employed, and swore they would speedily have the young General in 
their possession, dead or alive. General Lacey had a most arduous and 
ungracious duly to perform, among his Tory neighbors, and old acquaint- 
ances, — some of whom never forgave him ; but he acquitted liimself vigor- 
ously — with a fluctuating force, continually varying from some 40 or M, to 
about r)00 men, — until the unfortunate surprise of his camp, at the Crooked 
Billet, on the morning of the L*t of May. 1778. In the beginning of .Iiine. 
following, (Jeneral LACin' was relieved of his anxious charge, hy the return 
of (ieneral Potter to the command of the district; and in a few days there- 
after tlie Briiisli army vacated Philadelpliia. 

General Laoey, nevert iieless, continued to .serve as a Brigadier of Militia, 
until near the close of the Kevidutionary contest; and his Brigade was 
repeatedly called out. by threatening events. While in this command (viz : 
in .lanuary, 1781), he married Miss Anastasia, daughter of Colonel TiiOMAa 
Ui:vN()Li)S, of New .Jersey, — a gentleman descended from an Irish family, 
in Dublin ; and soon afterward he engaged cXiens'vely in iron works, on 
the Piancociis creek, at the village known as the New Mills, (now Pemberton.) 
in the county of Ibirlington. In this pursuit. — and occasionally in public 
life, as a Magistrate and Lef^islator, — General Lacf.y continued until his 
decease, on the 17ili of February, 1814, aged 5'.l years. ^, 

General Lacey, at his death, left four children, — three daughters and one 
son : — . . ar 

His elil«<t (liiv.;;itpi' wn nnnii'il to Willirim T,. Smith, of nurliinrton rmintiy, N. .T. 
His s«nMi**l diii-ilifL-r •■ '• '• Hi. Wllliaiii Darlinaton. of West Cliester Pa. 

His joun'j;fst (Imglitpr " " .liiii!itli:iii ll.mgli. of I!iiiliiigti>ii cDuiity. N. .1. 

His sou, Tliomas K. Lacoy — the only survivor — rosiiies af Mmnt Holly. Burliiigtoiioo., N..T, 

His descendants are not numerous ; hut they have been privileged to see 
the rise of a great and magnificent Republic. — as well as to witness the 
outbreak of the most wanton ami wicked rebellion that the wo*ld ever saw. 
They have mostly inherited the loyal spirit of their ancestor, — and some of 
them ai'e no-v engaged as oflicers in the great Volunteer army, devoted to the 
defence of tiie Government, which their grand-sire aided to establish. 

ESTO VERPETIA ! 



IE HATBORO' MONUMENT.— Tlh.\xT9Aiij the 5th 
was the day fixed upon for inaugurating the " Crook- 
illet" Monument, in oommemoration of those who 
cruelly massacred hy the British troops and Tories, 
gh the treachery of the Tories of the Revolution, and 
"ell at the battle of the Crooked Billet, May Ist, 177S. 
lay was most auspicious, calm, and beautiful, the 
andering it mild by his warm rays. The inaugural 
onies were conducted at the base of the monument, 
! forenoon, and as soon^as the column was capped, by 
•n being raised to its position, Rev. Dr. Steele was 
upon and addressed the Throne of Grace in a sol- 
rayer. Several patriotic and eloquent addresses wore 
by gentlemen, who were there by invitation of the 
gers, an outline sketch of which follows. The vener- 
md highly esteemed Dr. William Darlington, oele- 
l for his scientific, historical, and literary attainments, 
ho is now in his eightieth year, but whose intellect 
rigorous, active, and bright as in hia yonnger days, 
resent and his lively conversation lent a charm, and 
additional interest, to the occasion. He was acoom- 
i by two young ladies, direct descendants of Gen. 
. The monument is beautiful, large and impoaang, 
band* upon a high bank overlooking the road. It 
ts of a plinth five feet square and one foot thick, aiod a 
I base, all of Montgomery county marble ; upon this 
. die, enriched with a projecting moulding, on which 
Latin motto, " Deftnsores Liheriatit per Inndias 
ti ;" on the square below is engraven the inscription; 
this is another die, bearing the coat of aims of th» 
Keystone State," in alto relievo ; this is exquisitely 
ful aurl an admirably executed piece of workman - 
the horses are well proportioned and seem instinct 
fe, the head of the eagle has a beautiful curl, and all 
rts are well worked out; rising from this second die is 
proportioned shaft or obelisk, nine feet high, on which 
ptared cross swords and a shield in bold relief; upon 
Blisk is a neat oapitol, and the whole is surmounted 
a urn, from which issues a flame. It stands some 
• four feet high and ia of the finest Italian marble 
ie base up. The monument will be surrouded by a 
Jd an iron railing. 
naores Lilbertatla per Insldlas Abrnptl. 

ON TBE WEST FEONf. 

iOOKED BILLET BATTLE, MAT 1, 1778. 
OBN. JOHN LACEY, 

nding the American patriots who were here en 

in conflict 

FOE INDEPENDENCE. 



EAST SIDE. 

A grateful Tribute 

BT THE 

HATBOROUGH MONUMENT ASSOCIATION, 

CHARTERED AND ERECTED 

A. D. 1861. 



lOVTH BIBB. 

The Patriots of 1770 
ACHIEVED OUR INDEPENDENCE. 

THEIR SUOOESSORS 

ESTABLISHED IT IN 1812. 

We are now struggling for its 

PERPETUATION IN 1861. 

" j/'he Union must and shall b» Preserved." 



NORTH SIDE. 
IN MEMORY OF rATHIOTIC 

John Downey, 

I And others who were oruelly slain on this ground, in the 
struggle for 
AMERICAN LIBERTY, i 
Dr. William Darlington, of West Chester, a son-in-law of 
General Lacey, being present and called upon, addressed! 
the audience briefly, thanking the people of the neighbor- 
; hood for the patriotism they had showed by the erection 
of a beautiful monument, and that it was chiefly owing to 
the energy of the gallant Colonel of the 104th Ringgold 
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and his friends, that 
this enterprise, which we had been called together to-day 
to consumate, had been commenced. 

Gen. John Davis replied that he could not permit it to 
go forth that his family were the only ones prominent in 
this movement, that where all has acted so nobly all should 
share the praise— -that to the ladies of Hatboro' and vicin- 
ity, they were principally indebted; it was to them who 
labored so assiduously and earnestly in this good work, 
that the managers \^ ere enabled to complete the enterprise. 
The Rev. Mr. Toland, of Chesnut Hill, was called upon, 
who added his testimony in favor of what had been done 
by the patriotic sons of patriotic sires, to perpetuate the 
memory of the gallant brave who had given up their lives 
on that sacred spot. He was glad to see before him the 
veterans of the war of 1812; Dr. Darlington, a Major, and 
Gen. John Divis, a Captain of that war; they were con- 
necting links that bind the past with the present, that 
unite the patriotism of 1812 and 1861, the defenders ef 
Liberty against foreign iiggression, and the protectors of 
that liberty against a wicked and causeless rebellion. The 
olden scenes of 1779 were being enacted over again by 
those brave spirits who have gone forth at the country's 
call and are now at the seat of war. Those who had pro- 
fessed to be our brethren were now in open rebellion 
against us, and attempting to overthrow the Constitution 
and the Government. They would silence the Press be- 
cause of its enlightening influences, and they would close 
the schools because it prepared the many to fill places of 
honor and responsibility, while they wished to consign 
these to the higly favored and privileged few. It was 
their emvy for our wide spread prosperity, and general in- 
telligence, that had led them to this fatal step, and now 
they would crush out this liberal spirit, and press us down 
with the iron heel of despotism. Rather than live under 
this state of affairs he would prefer to have his bones moul- 
der in the dust with those of the men whom this monu- 
ment commemorates, he would say in the language of 
Piitrick Henry, " Give me liberty or give me death." 



RB 9.» 



9^ 



Rot. Mr. Hand was also glad to add his testimony to | 
what had already been said. Ha congratulated the com- ' 
munity upon what had been acoomplished. This was a 
fitting and beautiful testimonial to the bravo men, who in 
the dark dayg of the Revolution, had risked their all, and 
some had even given up their lives upon that field to se- 
cure our liberties. But whilst those m?n slept in uncon- 
scious danger, there were others around them who treach- 
erously led the enemy upon them and they were over- 
whelmed and their columns broked. So it was now with 
the »outh3rn rebels — whilst we nere sleeping in security 
they, through their treachery, were preparing to overthrow 
our government and destroy our liberties ; they had no love 
for liberty but would crush it to the earth. But the events 
of this day were encouraging to Ihoso who were in the ser- 
vice of their country. They had gone forth upon a sen^e 
of duty tocrui'i this spirit of rebellion, and a grateful peo- 
ple would reward them. Those who foil upon this spot j 
little thought they would have their names hrvnded down 
to posterity and their deeds live in imperishable marble; 
over eighty jears have passed away and they are not for- 
gotten. A grateful people perpetuates their trials. A 
victory was not achieved but a gloriou.s principle was con- 
tended for. Armies must needs meet with reliufl's and de- 
teat*, but those who fall in the cause of iho country's hon- ' 
or will still b<» remembered and respected for wh:it they 
wished to do. The memory of those who foil at Bull Run 
and Ball's Bluff will be held in grateful remembrance for 
that which they endeavored to accomplish. 

Col. David Marple was called upon to give the tradition 
of the neighborhood, in respect to this battle. His grand- 
father lived in close proximity to the scene and was famil- 
iar with the events, which have been handed down from 
father to son. He related many pleasing incidents. 

The following comprises a list of the articles in the box, 
deposited in the base of the monument : The " Doylestown 
Democrat," ontaining the oration of Col. J. W. Forney, 
on the 4th of July, 1860, at Hatboro' ; Col. W. W. H. Da- 
vis' History of the " Battle of the Crooked Billet ;" a copy 
of the "Bucks County Intelligencer;" a copy of the 
" Doylestown Democrat," containing the Roll of Honor, 
I being the names of the oflScers and men of the Ringgold 
I Regiment; the German papers of Bucks county, "Mont- 
gomery county Ledger," " Norristown Register and 
|WatohmaD," "The Herald and Free Press," ""Forney's 
I Press," " Philadelphia I nquirer," "Evening News," two 
I " Public Ledgers," " North American," " Germantown 
Telegraph," and "Christian Chronicle;" Drs. Hill'i and 
Reading's statistics of Hatboro'; Charter of the Monument 
Association ; a list of contributors to the i^fonument fund; 
two coins presented by Mr. M''il<loner; circular of Rev. Mi. 
Hand's Youn;; Ladies' Boai ding School, and one of Mr. 
Morrow's circulai 8 of Loller Academy ; a note from Mr. 
Daniel Rorer, refening to the interest himself and family 
took in raising funds for the erection of the Monument; 
and a list of the officers and men of Captain John Shel- 
mire's Cavalry company. 

Owing to the crowded state of our columns with the 
President's Message, OEBcial Reports, Court proceedings, 
iSc, we are obliged, reluctantly, to omit the classic, patri- 
otic, and brilliant oration of the Rev. Mr. Belville, deliv- 
ered in the afternoon at the Academy, whieh we hope to be 
able to give in our next issue. 




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